The Tycoon's Secret Wife's Escape

CASSIE 15: Love Fades

"Asher's in the hospital, Cassie. The car he was driving crashed last night on his way back to their mansion. It slid into a creek-thankfully, it wasn't deep where he landed."

Of course, I was worried; Asher and I shared a history. But it wasn't panic anymore, that dull, lingering concern comes from caring too much for too long.

"Is he okay?"

I caught Ronan watching me intently across the table, his dark eyes studying my reaction.

"He's still unconscious," he said quietly.

"I see," I managed, keeping my voice neutral.

"Cassie, go visit him. His head was all over the place-and he'd had a few drinks. That's probably what caused the accident."

I hated how my dad made it sound like Asher's recklessness was somehow my responsibility.

I held back my response, knowing Ronan was there. Arguing with my dad now would only cause a scene I wasn't ready for. But seriously, I'm not a doctor!

It was ironic-they were all so concerned about Asher, and yet I was the one who was actually sick.

'They don't know, Cassie!' I reminded myself.

I glanced at my watch, remembering my scheduled telehealth appointment and

the follow-up consultation with the local specialist I'd arranged.

"Fine! I'll go," I said, voice steady with finality, then ended the call.

Turning to Ronan, I offered an apologetic smile. "I'm sorry, but I need to leave."

He was the one who ended up driving me to the hospital, staying silent during the drive, and a deep line between his eyebrows showed he was lost in thought.

"I'll give you my answer in Paris," I murmured, referring to his bold request to paint me naked.

He nodded, and I leaned in to kiss his cheek-but his fingers found my chin, warm and gentle, guiding my face toward his. His lips brushed mine in a soft, slow kiss, lingering long enough to steal my breath and leave my heart fluttering.

Flustered, I pulled away and hurried off. As I glanced back, I saw the corner of his lips curve into a smirk.

"See you soon, Cassie!" he called out.

Moments later, I was in Asher's hospital room. His mother sat by the bed, flanked by a helper-or maybe a nurse. Evan slouched in a visitor's chair; his attention fixed on whatever game illuminated his phone screen.

"See? I told you Cassie would definitely come," Evan announced with a smirk, not bothering to look up from his phone.

I frowned. Asher didn't seem to be in any real distress; he sat up so easily on the hospital bed as if nothing had happened. "Cassie... I'm so glad you came!" His body trembled as he met my gaze.

"My dad asked me to visit. You look fine," I said flatly, keeping my tone as distant as possible-nothing like the concerned Cassie he was used to.

Mrs. Reid rose from her chair, touching her son's shoulder gently. "We'll give you two some privacy."

I didn't reply, standing still as the others left. My body suddenly felt heavy and fatigued, a familiar warning sign. So, I discreetly retrieved medication from my bag and swallowed it dry.

He started to explain. "As for what happened at the event... It was supposed to be the official engagement party I planned for us. I never anticipated Vanessa's family would mistake it for our engagement announcement because she always wanted to marry me."

As I expected, he believed every word of that woman's lie.

"Then why don't you marry her?" I asked, my voice cold.

Asher's face paled.

"I could never do that! What are you saying? You're my fiancée, Cassie, I organized last night specifically to announce our engagement to everyone. It was meant to make you happy."

I approached his bed slowly, maintaining enough distance that allowed me to meet Asher's blue gaze.

"Did your plan succeed? Did you see happiness on my face last night?"

He had no answer, his eyes wavering, and I sneered.

"I don't even feel disappointment; I've become numb. All I feel is this deep, hollow disgust for you."

CASSIE 15 Love Fades

His body trembled as my words hit him, and then he broke down, his voice cracking. "Please, don't say that! Give me another chance, Cassie."

"Asher, chances are for those who earn them-you are not one of those people. All this time, I was never your priority. Did you ever truly love me? Did you ever even respect me?"

"Cassie... I know I was wrong... please!"

"I'm not going to marry you. And I won't say a word to my parents until you show me you've truly changed. Prove to me that your regret is real. But for now, my decision stands—I'm not coming back to you, Asher..."noveldrama

I was heading toward the door when I felt his arms wrap around me from behind.

"You can't mean this," he whispered, his breath hot against my neck. "I know how much you love me, Cassie. You always forgive me in the end."

His grip tightened possessively, his cologne overwhelming my senses and triggering a wave of nausea.

I jerked away, pushing his arm off my fragile frame.

Turning to face him, I met his desperate gaze with a composure that surprised

me. "You seemed fine, and wasting medical resources that someone truly ill could use is selfish."

The color drained from his face as he retreated to the edge of his bed.

"Cassie..." Asher's mother stood as she saw me leaving. Evan had already disappeared.

"Aunt, please take care of him," I muttered.

Walking away felt surreal. I never imagined the day when the teenage boy I once admired and loved with all my heart would

affection. mean nothing to me, just a painful memory of someone who no longer deserved my

After visiting Asher, a follow-up appointment with the hematologist was scheduled. I told the doctor I'd been feeling exhausted and dizzy recently, almost passing out on more than one occasion.

"Your counts are concerning, Cassie. We need to consider another round of chemotherapy-ideally starting next week... Then plan for at least a week of rest afterward, possibly longer, given your current condition."

The thought of explaining this to my family, agent, and friends felt impossible.

In the hallway, I started looking up how my illness could get worse, scrolling through photos that showed what might happen to me: sunken cheeks and no hair. Even a lovely wig might not be enough to hide it.

"What are you doing here?"

I looked up to find Vanessa Ashford standing before me. My thumb pressed the power button on my phone, quickly darkening the screen to hide the evidence.

Had she seen me leave the hematologist's clinic?

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